Hungry Dweller

By Vincent Roberts

A diverse group of people travel to an elite luxury resort in the South Pacific. They begin their journey in high spirits and look forward to retreating from their hectic lives for a much-anticipated tropical vacation. Soon, suspicions begin to take root as the facade of the prosperous resort begins to crumble. And then, nature has another plan. Hurricane season delivers a massive storm that disrupts their idyllic holiday, transporting them to a place that none of them could have anticipated. Within this tropical paradise, dark secrets prevail and vicious evil dwells as lives are torn apart. Heroes are born as human nature and wickedness diverge and merge again while an ancient hunger relentlessly continues to grow.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vincent Roberts
• Release date: Sep 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393221265

Book preview

THE RESORT

The yacht, with its striking blonde Captain Spence Lewis standing at the helm, pulled away from the open waters of the Pacific Ocean and into the lagoon to make a smooth and steady stop in slip number one.

Spence turned and said, This is it, Miss Brooks. The craft was parked next to a similar sized vessel in slip number two.  

Lucinda Brooks, a tall, thin woman with long, straight red hair, stood up from her seat and gazed out at the island paradise in front of her. After the long trip, she let out a breath of relief, happy to be returning to dry land.

She looked forward to taking a break from her hectic life for a few short weeks, knowing that she needed rest and relaxation more than anything else at that point.

As they spoke, Brian Fisher, the other boat captain, stood on the dock and tied off the lines of the boat. Then, Brian boarded the boat once he knew it was securely in its slip.

Looking at the lush tropical forests on the island, Lucinda commented, I’ve heard so many good things about this place. I hope it’ll be free of any background noise that seems to happen so often in my life.

Spence replied, If you’re looking for a quiet place where you can just rewind and relax, you found at The Pearl Island Resort.

Good. I need that peace of mind. And all the reviews that I’ve read say that Lazarus and Marlene Cromwell spared no expense in making this the total vacation experience.

Spence and Brian Fisher chuckled as Spence said, Trust me. If you get bored or stressed out on this island, there has to be something wrong with you. The two of them thought of everything. And I think it was a smart idea that they made the resort for adults only. You know, it takes away a lot of liabilities, and a lot of that background noise that you mentioned.

The thirty-one-year-old Lucinda nodded her head, I agree. Besides, the thought of having children around stresses me out more than most anything.

Spence remarked, I take it you don’t have any children, Lucinda?

She shook her head vigorously and said, Never, never, never. Never any children. I’m married to my dancing. I always have been, ever since I was a child myself. I have no time for anything else in my life. Children have never been a part of my master plan.

They watched as Brian threw several more ropes onto the dock. Then, Brian hopped off and tied the boat up more before he shouted, Never can be too safe!

Spence, continuing his conversation with Lucinda, could see that she was firmly against having children. She questioned, Do you have any children, Spence?

He nodded. I have two, a boy and a girl. Had ‘em young. My son’s twenty-one now and my daughter just turned nineteen.

Hinting, Lucinda asked, And what about Mrs. Lewis? How does she feel about you working so far away from the mainland?

He and Brian, who had returned to the boat, looked at each other and chuckled. Lucinda was perplexed. What’s so funny?

Spence stated, There hasn’t been a Mrs. Lewis in about fifteen years. She didn’t like being married ...well ... she didn’t like being married to me. Said I was too controlling.

Playfully, Brian grinned, Well, at least that’s one thing we can all agree on, as he grabbed two of Lucinda’s suitcases, and a makeup bag, and walked off the boat.

Spence took her remaining luggage as they exited the five-bedroom, one-hundred-foot yacht and headed toward the small blue and gray tram that would take them to the main lobby of the hotel. Brian loaded the bags onto the tram and said, I have stuff to do. I’ll see you later, Spence. It was good meeting you, Lucinda.

As they sat in the tram, she inquired, How big is it?

Spence’s face turned red as he turned to Lucinda and said, Excuse me.

Lucinda realized what she had said. Her face turned as red as his as she corrected herself. This place. How big is this island?

Once the two of them had a brief laugh over the miscommunication, Spence rattled, The entire island is about two square miles. It’s just enough room for a resort of this size. We even have a freshwater swimming pool and waterfall in the center of it all.

And how many guests can vacation here at one time?

The hotel itself has ten guest suites and then there’s ten separate guest bungalows. That’s where you’ll be staying. Lazarus and Marlene usually limit the island to no more than twenty guests at a time. This way everybody gets some individual attention.

How many employees does it take to run this entire island retreat?

He continued, It’s a good intimate number, and all of our employees are cross-trained in most of the essential jobs. It’s a good idea especially on a week like this week.

What do you mean? What’s so special about this week?

We have three staff down with the flu, two are on vacation, one had a family emergency and another had a death in the family. We’re basically going to be working as a skeleton crew for the next six or seven days.

Lucinda pursued one of his many comments. When you said the staff are cross-trained, what did you mean?

For example, our front desk clerk, Jordan, is also a deejay at our dinner dances. And then he works in the pool area a couple shifts a week. I think, altogether, we have twenty to twenty-five total employees on premises at all times ... plus the owners, of course ... except for this week. But it’ll still be a good week.

Lucinda gave Spence a playful grin. And what on earth are you cross-trained at, Captain Lewis? she asked as the tram cruised up the long and winding stone path.

First of all, I’ll remind you again. It’s Spence. The rule is only first names during your stay here. We have no formalities here. Secondly, you’ll just have to find out what else I can do around here, he remarked back at her in a flirtatious manner.

I’d rather be referred to as Lucinda anyway. Miss Brooks sounds like the name of an old-maid librarian or maybe a woman with a dozen cats, she replied as they exited the tram and entered the main lobby, where they approached the front desk. Jordan Carter stood there waiting to greet the newest guest.

Good morning, Lucinda. We’ve been anticipating your arrival. I’m Jordan and I’ll be assisting you to your bungalow, he said as he stared into his computer screen while typing in her information. I take it you had a pleasant ride here with Captain Spence?

Oh, it was amazing ... and, both captains, Spence and Brian were simply wonderful to me during and after the ride.

He finished typing, lifted his head and focused his eyes back on Lucinda. It looks here like you’ll be staying in bungalow seven for the next three weeks?

Yes. That’s correct, three weeks. Her eyes wandered around the structure, noticing the magnificence of the lobby. She saw the staircase and elevator that led up to the second and third floor suites, the multicolored fountain and the grand entrance to the main dining room.

Jordan, both the youngest and newest member of the team, had only been there for two months but proceeded with an accuracy that would make a guest believe he’d been on the job for several years. He lifted the phone from its cradle and pushed a button. Hello, Cheryl. How are you? Miss Brooks ...

She whispered, Lucinda ... remember. First names ... call me Lucinda.

He apologized in the same low whisper that he was using on the phone. Sorry, before he continued his conversation with Cheryl Mitchell, the island’s only activities director. Ah, I’ll be bringing Lucinda to bungalow seven in just a few minutes. Is everything ready? Okay. We’ll see you there, he said before he laid the phone back down in its cradle.

Spence crossed his arms and waited for Jordan to suggest, If the captain would help me with your bags, we’ll be on our way.

Spence took the bags as they sauntered through the side doors and out to the plush tropical gardens that adorned most of the resort’s common areas.

At that point, everyone but Spence got into the red and white tram. He stated, I’ve got to get back to slip two. We have another guest that I have to pick up in two hours. He turned and headed back to the docks on foot.

Lucinda questioned, Is there a reason for the different colored vehicles?

Jordan nodded, The blue trams are for guest arrivals. They only travel from the boats to the lobby. The red trams are for the interior bungalows and amenities. And the green ones are for exterior areas and shoreline travel.

The red tram moved slowly through the complex, giving Lucinda an opportunity to observe even more of the island paradise. They passed the pool area, complete with a poolside bar and a tiny restaurant, several man-made waterfalls, the spa and sauna, tennis courts, an equine park with trails and stables, a small water park and several other bungalows before they finally arrived at bungalow seven.

As they pulled up to the front door, Cheryl stood there smiling and waving. She approached Lucinda and shook her hand. Hello, I’m Cheryl Mitchell. I’ll be here to help you coordinate your activities for the next three weeks.

Jordan announced, This is the end of the trail for me. I’m heading back to the hotel. I’ll see you again, Lucinda.

Thank you for everything, Jordan.

Once Jordan was gone, Cheryl took Lucinda into her bungalow. I take it you had a smooth ride to the resort?

Oh yes. Captain Lewis made it quite interesting. The two hours it took to get here just seemed to fly by.

After seeing Lucinda was satisfied with her boat ride, Cheryl changed the subject as she glared at her checklist that was stuck on her clipboard. As you know, we have two restaurants on property run by world class chefs.

I read all of that in the brochures. They looked wonderful.

We’ve also stocked your own kitchen area with all the requested beverages, food and various snacks.

Cheryl pointed her favorite pen towards the wall near the front door. On the wall are several control panels. The first one on top is for climate control. You can choose to use it or not. The second one in the middle is the audio panel. We’ve loaded all your favorite music into its memory for the duration of your stay. The third panel on the bottom is for you to call us if you need anything. There’re names printed near each of the designated buttons. My name is listed on the first button, the second button is Viola, the chef, and so on.

Lucinda took a closer look at the control panel and appeared to be confused. Cheryl assured her, I know it seems like a lot to remember, but, trust me, it’s not. After a day or so, everyone works these things easily.

She smiled and commented, I hope so. I’ll take your word for it.

Also, the island has no internet, television or cell phone service. During the initial planning, Lazarus and Marlene Cromwell felt the island would be better experienced without all of those modern-day distractions. The hotel does have a land-line in the lobby, just in case you have to make an important call.

Lucinda wandered through the bungalow, looking around at the rooms, admiring the furniture, the curtains, the floors and the massive bedroom with its bathroom made of Italian marble with a jacuzzi tub. Captain Lewis ... I mean Spence was correct when he said that the owners spared no expense when they built this place. Everything I’ve seen so far is simply amazing.

Cheryl looked at her checklist again and made another checkmark on her paper. That was around the time that Lucinda smiled and politely asked, Would you mind leaving me now? I’m feeling somewhat drained and I think I could use a little nap.

Of course. Every one of our guests has that same tired feeling for the first few hours they’re on the island.

Before she left the bungalow, Cheryl pointed at the bottom panel on the wall. Remember, the second button is for you to call the kitchen to let them know what you’d like and what time you’ll be there. Also, let them know if you’ll be eating in the main restaurant or down by the poolside area.

As Lucinda walked Cheryl to the front door, she said, You’ve been very helpful. Thank you for everything, Cheryl.

Cheryl smiled and responded, That’s what I’m here for, Lucinda. We try to make every guest experience an unforgettable one.

At the front door of bungalow two, sixty-seven-year-old millionaire James Bradley and his much younger wife, Eden, scolded the young and sweet Jennie Sheppard who was holding onto an armful of towels while standing next to her black housekeeping tram.

I apologize Mr. and Mrs. Bradly. I gave the front desk the message yesterday that you wanted to speak with Mr. and Mrs. Cromwell. I don’t know what could’ve happened. I haven’t seen them. My only guess is that they may have left the island for a few days.

Eden stepped forward and demanded, First, we had to endure a dreadful flight to that Rarotonga island. Then, we had to sustain a bumpy boat ride for two hours with that grubby wild man, Captain Lewis. The food is not nearly up to our standards and these shabby bungalows are not as clean as they could be ...

Taking a defensive posture, Jennie stated, One of us from housekeeping cleans every bungalow from top to bottom the day before the guests arrive. I don’t know what you mean by that. I was the one who spent a full day cleaning your bungalow personally.

Talking to Jennie as if she was a little child, James, crotchety and rude, stepped forward and commented, If you said you cleaned this bungalow personally ... perhaps you should find another line of work, young lady. Maybe you should look for one that isn’t quite as complicated as making a bed or sweeping a floor.

Jennie took a lot of pride in her job and knew that she was an exceptional employee. She took his comment very personally. Even at twenty-four, she was a perfectionist and much better qualified for higher paying jobs. Her eyes welled with tears.

What James and Eden didn’t know was that Jennie had recently completed her Master’s Thesis in marine biology and was using her off time from the job to study the coral reef that surrounded almost sixty-five percent of the island. Shocked and hurt by his words, she wiped the tear from her cheek and said, I’m going to go to the front desk to find out why the owners haven’t responded to your first request.

James threw his hands in the air and shouted, That’s if you even bothered to take the first message there at all! Don’t bother! I’ll do it myself!

Snidely, Eden leaned in and whispered to her husband just loud enough for Jennie to hear. She probably didn’t. You know how these hourly employees can be.

Just then, an older woman, with short, white curly hair, dressed in a colorful caftan, walked up to the cart and leaned on it. The couple thought she might be another employee or maybe the head of housekeeping.

Directing her comment at James and Eden, she stated, Good afternoon, folks. I overheard most of your conversation and I don’t think I like the way you’re speaking to this girl ...

Leaning over and whispering to the woman. Jennie. My name is Jennie Sheppard.

Jennie. I don’t like the way you’re talking down to her.

James walked up to the older woman and, in a smug tone, asked, No one invited you into this conversation, whoever you are. Just who do you think you are to tell me how I should speak to some minimum wage maid?

Who am I? I’m Sheila Gould. Does that name ring a bell?

Surprised when he found out who he was squawking